LIBERTY AND OTHERS v. THE UNITED KINGDOM JUDGMENT
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77. In the circumstances of this case, the Court considers that the finding
of violation constitutes sufficient just satisfaction for any non-pecuniary
damage caused to the applicants.
B. Costs and expenses
78. The applicant also claimed GBP 7,596, excluding value added tax
(“VAT”) for the costs and expenses incurred before the Court.
79. The Government noted that counsel had acted throughout on a pro
bono basis, and submitted that the GBP 180 hourly rate charged by Liberty
was excessive. They proposed that GBP 120 per hour would be more
reasonable, giving a total of GBP 5,064.
80. The Court awards EUR 7,500 plus any VAT that may be chargeable.
C. Default interest
81. The Court considers it appropriate that the default interest should be
based on the marginal lending rate of the European Central Bank, to which
should be added three percentage points.
FOR THESE REASONS, THE COURT UNANIMOUSLY
1. Declares the application admissible;
2. Holds that there has been a violation of Article 8 of the Convention;
3. Holds that there is no need to examine the complaint under Article 13 of
the Convention;
4. Holds
(a) that the respondent State is to pay the applicant, within three months
from the date on which the judgment becomes final in accordance with
Article 44 § 2 of the Convention, EUR 7,500 (seven thousand five
hundred euros) in respect of costs and expenses, to be converted into
pounds sterling at the rate applicable at the date of settlement, plus any
tax that may be chargeable to the applicants;
(b) that from the expiry of the above-mentioned three months until
settlement simple interest shall be payable on the above amount at a rate
equal to the marginal lending rate of the European Central Bank during
the default period plus three percentage points;
5. Dismisses the remainder of the applicant’s claim for just satisfaction.